Henry G. “Swampy” Paris, age 90, of Woburn passed away Mach 11th, following a lengthy illness. He was the beloved wife of Martha C. (Carle) Paris. Born in Woburn he was the son of the late Anthony and Jennie (Cogliano) Paris.
Henry was a life long resident of Woburn, growing up on the Paris family farm which was located in Woburn´s west side. He was retired from General Electric where he worked as a welder for over thirty-five years and worked on the first American jet engine wich was developed by General Electric and is now on display at the Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum.
Henry, known as ”Swampy“ to his family, friends and skiing coleagues was the first president of the Innitou Ski Runners of Woburn. He began skiing in the late 1930´s and joined the National Ski Patrol System, Inc. which was a part of the National Ski Associations of America. In 1945 he was given NSPS National Appointment #725. Over the years Swampy was awarded numerous awards and merits. He was a pioneer in safety patrol, first aid and life saving on the mountains. He was one of the original patrolmen that organized the Mount Washington Volunteer Ski Patrol in 1949 and became its first patrol leader. Some of his awards over the years include a purple merit star for the saving of a life. In 1950 he was awarded National Ski Patrol ´Friend of the Mountains´ Trophy presented to the National Ski Patrol by the Ski Club Adinos of Chile. He was awarded the US Eastern Amateur Ski Assoc. Safety Trophy in 1946 for outstanding contributions to the cause of safety in skiing. He was declared by Eastern Skier Magazine as the ”foremost ski patrolman in the world”, and in 1951 the National Ski Patrol awarded him its Gold Star as the nation´s outstanding patrolman.
Swampy was a first aid instructor for over 35 years and helped to certify hundreds of patrolmen with different courses that he taught in both private ski schools and at local ski clubs throughout greater Boston. In 1957 he expanded his training to include avalanche safety. In 1984 Swampy was awarded a plaque by Huck Finn at the annual Avalanche and Mountaineering Instructors´ meeting in Albany for contributing 45 years to the National Ski Patrol System and for his efforts in promoting Avalanche Safety and recognition of avalanche hazard.
Swampy was a Mt. Washington Patrol Leader starting in 1948 and continuing for many years to work with the Forest Services. He served as Director of the Eastern Inter Ski League Club and as the Eastern Avalanche Director. He was given Honorary Membership by the Appalachian Mountain Club, Huts Committee.
In addition to his late parents, Swampy is preceded in death by his brother George Paris and sisters, Ann Bevilacqua, Josephine Smith, Mildred Pindari and Mary Diorio. He is survived by his wife Martha C. Paris and many loving nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be conducted in the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Funeral Home 60 Pleasant St. Woburn, Tuesday at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Monday 4 thru 7. Services will conclude with burial at Calavary cemetery, Woburn. It has been requested that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the charity of your choice.